Product Reviews for Oily, Sensitive & Acne Prone Skin

Tag: korean cosmetics

The challenge to find a cleanser is still not yet over for me. I’m taking a break from my holy grail tea tree cleanser. So I’ve been switching to different products until I find a good one. Let’s start this year with Torriden’s soap. This was in my past haul. I visited Althea’s website again and I couldn’t find its product page. I don’t know what happened. Now I dont have its description.😧

Anyway, here’s what it looks like

There’s a date stamped on the plastic. I’m hoping it’s the manufacturing date.

I got this on Althea’s website at 178 pesos (approx $3). It’s 100g and has a square cut unlike the usual soaps. I suggest cutting it in half if you have small hands like me. Keep the other half in a dry place. That also helps with the curing process. This soap has a clean scent which reminds me of medicine/hospital.😅 It doesnt melt easily but it gives enough lather. It doesn’t leave a film when rinsed. My skin doesn’t feel dehydrated and there’s no tightening.

There’s no ingredients list on the box. But you can see it in the description found on Torriden’s website. Centella asiatica or gotu kola is its main ingredient. It has anti-inflammatory properties. The brand claims that it’s SLS and SLES-free. Those are used to make lather but can cause irritations to some. It’s nice that they are not needed to make this soap.

I consider this a maintenance if moisture and hydration are your concerns. I didn’t see any improvements on existing acne. It doesnt heal them or cause breakouts. It’s a basic cleanser. Good choice if you’re just starting to get serious with your skin care routine. Or if you’re using drying medications or products.

I was browsing Althea’s website and found serums that are less than 1000 pesos ($20). I’ve always wanted to try galactomyces ever since it became popular in k-beauty world. Now what is galactomyces? It’s an extract from a fungus used in making sake/japanese wine. The fermented extract is in skin care for anti aging, brightening and repairing.

This one from Onsaemeein is 100% pure. That’s what caught my attention. I was skeptical because I dont know if it give a positive or negative reaction. I said in my past haul that I’ll review this after a month. I’m using this for more than two weeks now. I’m ready to give my final thoughts.

It’s runny like water. It’s absorbed in just a few seconds. It wouldn’t be a problem when you’re in a hurry. I was amazed during the first few days of using this. I immediately saw how great its oil control is. It’s mattifying which made my makeup last longer. It tightens the skin like I just had botox. My pores are also reduced when I’m using this.

This is such a great product. I just wish it didnt trigger the areas where I’m prone to contact dermatitis. I’m still using this on my nose, nasal folds, sides of mouth and porous areas. It’s ideal for those with oily skin who want anti-aging products. Start with a little amount then increase as your skin adjusts. Other skin types can use it too but add your moisturizer after.

Lately, there’s no product in malls that caught my attention. So I went back to online shopping. I knew Althea since the first day they opened but never really ordered from them. It’s the only cosmetics shop in Korea that accepts cash on delivery payment (COD) for Philippine-orders. It is a good thing. Most Filipinos do not use card for transactions. We’re more comfortable with cash payment.

I ordered from Althea last Monday. They sent an email about my order confirmation right away. Updates can also be seen in your account. Here’s the time table:

MondayJanuary 15 (around 1PM) — Order received and Processing order

Tuesday:January 16 — Preparing for shipping

WednesdayJanuary 17 — Shipped with tracking number

SaturdayJanuary 20 — Received my order

And here’s the complete tracking from Korea to our house in PH

They update the online tracking fast unlike other couriers. You’ll receive a text message from the courier notifying you that your order will be delivered within the day. The delivery guy will also send a text asking if you/someone can receive the package. If no one is available, you can tell the guy and they’ll deliver it the next day. After 5 days, my package was delivered right at my doorstep. Best of all, I didn’t have to pay 112 pesos for customs tax and duties.

I’d recommend COD if there’s someone at your home who’ll pay & receive your order. But for me, it was difficult to do that because I’m sort of living alone. So if Im not at home, no one’s gonna receive it. The staff at our lobby can do that for me if my package was paid already. I’m going to use card or bank transfer next time.

Everything was in bubble wrap even if the box itself is already protecting the products. There were no dents on the product boxes. I signed up on the site way back. I already have a wishlist of products. I ran out of concealer and almost finished with my moisturizer. I was looking for serums and found a lot on their website.

Onsaemeein Galactomyces
I’ve never tried this active ingredient before. But I know it became a trend in k-beauty community. Onsaemeein offers it in 100%, no other ingredients included. I’m using this for more than a week now. My skin feels tight like I had botox. I’m liking it so far. I’ll review this after a month.

Calmia Oatmeal Therapy Cleansing Tissue
I needed a new makeup remover because Bench/ Cleansing Baby Wipes are rough which in my opinion is not good for facial skin. I just tried Calmia tonight. The tissue is soft and big enough to remove my full coverage makeup. It smells good too. I just wish they were 30 to 50 pieces.

The Saem Cover Perfection Dual Concealer
I only wanted to try The Saem’s liquid concealer. But I know I’ll be looking for a cream variant in case I’m not satisfied with the coverage. I bought this duo to test both of them in half the price. The weights are different from the solo cream and liquid concealer. I’ll see which one I like better then I’ll buy that alone next time.

Torriden Cellmazing Centellareal Soap
I was also looking for a facial wash. I’m taking a break from my favorite cleansing soap. I got this one on sale. Centella Asiatica is one of the main ingredients based on the website description. I’m using this for a week. I’ll do a full review on this after a month.

RiRe Luxe Full Cover Concealer
This one’s just an extra order. I added it in my cart because it’s so affordable. Where can you see a concealer worth 140 pesos, right? The packaging doesn’t look cheap. I havent tried it yet. It claims to give great coverage. It weighs 1.5 grams so I’m hoping little goes a long way.

Overall, I’m satisfied with my shopping experience on Althea’s website. They have different payment options like paypal, credit card, cash on delivery and bank transfer. I received the products in great condition. I’ll buy again from them once I’ve finished these all up. I’m already window shopping and adding some items on my wishlist. There are unique finds here like unpopular brands which are promising.

We’ll review two products today. These products were sent to me as a reward for being one of the best reviewers for Benton’s Sun Cream before. I wanted to try this line ever since they were released. I still had hesitations although they’re hyped. *sensitive skin problems*

Snail Bee High Content Skin

DESCRIPTION:SNAIL BEE HIGH CONTENT Skin is for all types of skin including sensitive and troubled skin. Snail Secretion Filtrate, Bee Venom, sh-Oligopeptide-1, and various botanical extracts are further added to improve rough and skin. Containing Niacinamide and Adenosine, this multifunctional skin toner helps achieve a bright and smooth complexion while moisturizing and soothing.

It has a lot of great ingredients and fragrance-free. It feels lightweight just like water. To me, it felt a bit warm and sticky after application but doesnt last long. You will get your money’s worth if it wont cause any negative reaction. I was satisfied with the healing properties. It helps to heal existing acne slowly. Yes, slowly but it helps to reduce hyperpigmentation.

The shelf life is 6 months after opening. I think that’s enough time to use it all up. Unless you’re switching to different products. I really really want to finish the whole bottle but I can’t. It triggered my dermatitis resulting to rashes and acne. I’m planning to use it on the neck area so it wont go to waste.

SNAIL BEE HIGH CONTENT STEAM CREAM

DESCRIPTION:SNAIL BEE HIGH CONTENT STEAM CREAM is for all types of skin including sensitive and troubled skin. Snail Secretion Filtrate, Bee Venom, sh-Oligopeptide-1, Hyaluronic Acid and various botanical extracts are used to improve rough skin. The creamy formula, blended at high temperature using steam method, provides long-lasting moisture. Containing Niacinamide and Adenosine, this multifunctional cream helps achieve a bright and smooth complexion, while moisturizing and soothing

It’s fairly priced in my opinion considering the ingredients. This cream also has 6 months shelf life. It helps to heal existing acne. Faster than the Skin variant. I was more skeptical to try this compared to the product above. It’s because I stay away from using creams. I think they’re all heavy especially for my skin type. I prefer essence and serums. I have dry patches lately. This cream worked really well to moisturize those areas.

I tried a technique so I can use it for the whole face. After washing my face, I dont wipe the excess water. I proceed to the toning step. Skin is still wet after toning. That’s the time I apply this cream. It’s absorbed quicker and feels lighter. This is my current moisturizer. I use this during daytime when I don’t have heavy activities. I’m glad this didn’t trigger my dermatitis. I’m using this for a week straight already without needing my steroid cream. Yaaas!

I’m very pleased with Steam Cream. I really want the High Content Skin to work out too. You can check out the rest of this line here. I’m thankful to Benton for letting me try their products. Their products have short shelf life compared to other brands. That’s when you know they’re using quality ingredients.☺

It’s been a while since I collaborated with Wishtrend. I got excited to receive a mail from them again. This time, they gave us the chance to try their own brand’s newest product. It’s By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water.

Now what is Mandelic acid? According to Hira, a resident pharmacist from Skin Store, it is an alpha hydroxy acid derived from bitter almonds. It’s gentler than glycolic acid. My dermatologist recommends mandelic peel for sensitive skin.

Description:Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water is a hydrating and nonirritating exfoliant that can be used daily. Formulated with Mandelic Acid, which can be used without any irritation even on sensitive skin, the Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water is an exfoliating treatment that improves the skin tone and texture while boosting the effectiveness of other products.

How to use:

Before the toner, gently wipe and pat the product on your face using a cotton pad.

Limit the use of this product depending on your skin type. (For sensitive skin, we recommend 2-3 times a week)

For morning use, please make sure to apply sun-lotion after using the product.

We recommend not to use this product with other facial scrubs, AHA/BHA, and Vitamin C products.

Ingredients:

Pros:

Huge bottle, 120ml

Fairly priced, $22

No spillage

Fragrance-free

Dries/sinks in quickly

Doesn’t sting except for open wounds/breakouts

Non-sticky

Skin did not get red while using this

Mildly exfoliates skin

Can help with minimal pigmentation

Cons:

I was bothered by castor oil at first

Personally, castor oil in products bothers me. It was one of the culprits of my past breakout. But I tried this Madelic Acid and didn’t have a problem. It’s probably because castor oil is at the bottom of its ingredients list. Bottom part = less amount. Since this is an acid, I do not apply this on areas prone to contact dermatitis. It can sting for open wounds/cuts like breakouts.

It expires in 12 months after opening. That’s enough time to get you through a 120ml bottle. There was no spillage even if I turn the bottle upside down. It has watery consistency. It doesn’t feel sticky unless you apply more than enough. It’s fragrance free. A plus for those who are sensitive to scents like me. It smells like COSRX’s AHA BHA Toner which is also fragrance free.

There are two ways to apply it. Gently pat on with your palms. Or if you want more exfoliation, gently swipe it on skin using cotton pad. I prefer cotton pad because it’s more effective and helps other products to absorb.

It doesn’t irritate or cause redness unlike my acid-based products in the past. I use this twice a week and will build up to 3 times a week. Ideally at night. It will help to lighten spots with continuous use. I dont think it’ll be enough for deep spots though.

Exfoliating is important. It removes dirt, excess oil and dead skin cells. This is mild and won’t overpeel skin. Dont worry, there’s no flaking. It’s only a micropeel. You wouldn’t notice it. I’d recommend it to all skin types as long as you dont have dermatitis or eczema. Apply by palm if you have dry skin. The rest can use cotton pad. Follow with a moisturizer.☺

I’m very careful to try sun blocks because I’ve used some before that broke me out. I just had a chemical peel so I have no choice but to add sun protection. Benton released new products and that includes Papaya-S Sun Cream. I like that this brand doesnt include unnecessary ingredients. They gave me a review opportunity ttry their sun cream. Just what I needed.☺

This variant is for outdoor activities. Perfect for me to test its performance. I sweat a lot and I commute daily. It has milky texture and quite liquid-y. It’s easily spread and sinks in faster than others. Skin has sheen/satin finish once absorbed. Surprisingly, it doesnt feel heavy and didnt make my skin oilier. I tried it under makeup and had no problems. It doesn’t wear off easily and doesn’t interfere with other products.

Under very bright lighting, I saw minimal whitecast. But that can be fixed if you apply the right amount evenly. I tried to take photos with flash and here’s the result. It only gave minimal flashback. It’s not that noticeable if you ask me. If you’re going to an event, make sure your foundation and powder have no SPF because it can intensify flashbacks.

Best thing about this is it doesnt have tons of alcohol unlike others. We all know what alcohol can do to our skin in the long run. It has SPF 50. It’s already a high protection for me. I’m glad it didnt broke me out. Probably because of it’s light texture and added natural ingredients like papaya water, seed oil and fruit extract. Would I recommend this? Yes! It has high SPF and lasts throughout a day of commuting. It didnt aggrevate my dermatitis so it’s safe for sensitive skin. I’ll always look up to this brand for making high quality products.

Oils are popular in the beauty community lately. One of them is Squalane. It’s being recognized because of its non-oily feel. It’s used in many cosmetic products for its moisturizing properties. There are different types of Squalane. The traditional is derived from Squalene (mostly made of shark liver oil). The other one is plant-based which is more preferred now.

Many have claimed that it doesnt feel like oil at all. It made me curious and I wanted to know if it’s true. I’ve been also adding pure ingredients in my routine. Luckily, Jolse gave us the opportunity to try Olivarrier’s Fluid Oil. I’d likd to thank them.

Description:The freshness and quick absorption provides enough moisture for any time of the year, keeping the skin smooth by making the dead skin cells elastic without blocking the pores. The ingredient similar to the skin will improve the dryness and the roughness of the skin safely. The colorless, odorless, and harmless plant squalane is the only ingredient contained in the product. The single ingredient oil will soothe the tightness of the skin, dry eyes and lips, rough hands and nails, damaged hair, sensitive and weak skin of expecting mothers and babies.

Let’s discuss the cons first $42 is quite expensive for me. The brand is not in the drugstore category. So that explains the price range. It’s level 1 Comedogenic. Although it has that rating, I didnt have breakouts while using this.

The pros: I prefer oils in dropper bottle like this. There’s no leak so it’s safe for traveling. The best thing is it’s plant-based. It’s ethical and we didnt harm anything. I’m impressed with the texture and performance. It feels like oil at first. But once you apply it on the skin, it sinks in really well. Photos show the before (immediately after applying Fluid Oil) then fully absorbed after a few minutes.

It does not feel heavy unlike other oils. It moisturizes dry patches immediately. I focus on the undereye, cheek and mouth area to avoid wrinkles. It minimizes the appearance of wrinkles. It’s great to use under makeup if that’s your concern. It has a subtle glow which makes skin look healthy. Not the oil slick look.

Overall, I’m satisfied with Olivarrier’s Fluid Oil. I recommend this for dry skin or if you’re feeling dull. Also, the bottle looks gorgeous. It’s minimalistic and chic. This could be added to your skin care collection.

You can get this on Jolse.com. It is currently discounted for $35.70.☺❤